Terrance

I have spent my life torn between two countries, a relative paradise on the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago and the busy streets of New York City. As a youth I quickly became enamored in a literary career. I never wavered much though pressure from my elders to pick a more ‘concrete career’ was abundant. At the age of 9, eager and willing, I attempted to start my own newspaper in my elementary school. Sadly the ‘Terrance Times’ did not do as well as I hoped in the target demographic. It turns out the prospect of ‘recess’ was much more appealing to my peers at the time. Soon after that I attempted to make my own magazine centered on sports and filled with pseudo-interviews and fake advertisements. To this day it lays at the bottom of my file cabinet today, still one of my most prized possessions.

Currently I attend Baruch College in New York City where I am majoring in Journalism and minoring in Political Science. I want to use writing as a medium by which I can influence people, educate the masses, and in turn change the world. As lofty as my goals may seem I have realized that only I can hold myself back. Currently I write for my school newspaper, which has also given me countless pleasure. I was recently given an award for my writing in the business section. I am also part of AIESEC Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales) the largest student run organization in the world which has given me countless opportunities to improve myself. As well I am a member of my college’s cross country team who placed second last year our cross country championships.
My professional prospects wavered slightly, especially after seeing the various news stories pile up during my high school years. Wars famines, college shootings, etc; it was an oversaturation of violence and I wanted to create a change. Truth be told I started uttering, what would later become my mantra ‘social change’ before I truly understood what it meant.
Growing up in a third world country I would often spend my night writing about the differences between the over indulgence seen here in America and the scarcity of resources everywhere else. This perplexed me, but I know I could do something about it. A career in politics crossed my mind, but I have come to realize that the bureaucracy involved would hinder me from ever making any significant change, at least not in the way writing can. With writing I can inspire I can enlighten and I can empower. My utopian view consists of a world where we are not bound by fear, but we embrace it and conquer it. My minor of Political Science plays into this as well. As I figured, how can I successfully change the world through my writing if I do not know enough about it?

The New York Needs You program has already been one of the greatest experiences in my life. I am excited about my future in this program, I feel as though the world is at my fingertips and with the guidance of the dedicated mentor coaches I know I can achieve unprecedented growth. Not only am I learning so much about my strengths and weaknesses but I am also being prepared for future challenges and opportunities. I am truly privileged to be a part of such a fantastic program and I truly believe that our fellowship class will have a huge impact on the world.